Game notes

Home improvement: The Wings have won three of their past four home games and four of five overall. They’ve been scoring at a decent clip (18 goals over the past five games) and getting good performances out of their special teams.

They haven’t started well the past two games, so look for that to be addressed.

Sizing up the opponent: After winning three times their first 11 games, the Rangers are on a four-game winning streak. They average 2.67 goals per game and allow an average of 3.13. Both special teams rank in the lower third of the NHL, with the power play at a mere 16.3 percent and the penalty kill clocking in at 77.3 percent. Mika Zibanejad leads the team with 13 points and Chris Kreider with seven goals. Henrik Lundqvist has a .922 save percentage in 12 appearances. Former Wings defenseman Brendan Smith has one goal, two assists, and a minus-4 rating.

Winged wheel watch: Andreas Athanasiou (leg) said he’s ready to return. Frans Nielsen (head) has been practicing and needs to clear a concussion baseline test to clear his return. Coach Jeff Blashill said he anticipates both playing Friday. With forward reinforcements ready, Christoffer Ehn was returned to the minors. Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (lower body) and forward Thomas Vanek (knee) remain out.